How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

My mothers co-worker had it done and I saw the results from it.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

Right now I am waiting to get approval. The doctors office do not see a problem with getting it because I have comorbities.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt really comfortable about my surgeon and all the research I did.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The lap band was the least invasive.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I didn't have any fears. If you do, ask patients who have been through the surgery.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

My family was and still are very supportive of me having this surgery.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

Not employed through anyone.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

I had to stay one night due to insurance reasons. The hospital did a great job.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

No complications

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I felt great after a few weeks. I had no anxiety issues.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

You will be on protein drinks for a few weeks. You also will drop a lot a pounds during this time.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

I traveled about 20 miles.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

No breads or carbonated beverages. No red meat or pork. I have gotten to the point where I don't miss any of this types of food. I really could care less if I ate or not.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

Activity level was the same after surgery. I was walking 3 miles a day.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

Bariatric Advantage vitamins I was taking for the first 6 months. Now I don't take them, but I should.

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

I had no side effects

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

There was no worst part. It all went well and it still is.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I do not attend any support groups.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

The scars are very small. Just like I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am still losing weight every month.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am starting to get more looks from women now.